 "Security personnel rush to the spot after terrorists attacked a group of tourists at Pahalgam, in Anantnag district, Jammu & Kashmir. PTI")
In the wake of the brutal terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that killed 26 people, most of them tourists, defence officials have issued a strongly worded response, declaring the incident “an act of war” and signalling that India is considering all retaliatory options.
Speaking to News18, top defence sources said, “Attacking tourists is an act of war, and suitable steps will be taken.” They added that Indian security forces are fully capable of launching operations not just within the country but also across the border if necessary.
“All options are open, and the top hierarchy and leadership will decide on a suitable one,” the sources stressed, indicating that India may not restrict its response to conventional counterterror operations within Jammu and Kashmir.
The statement comes amid rising evidence of Pakistan’s involvement in the Pahalgam massacre. The attack occurred during the visit of US Vice President JD Vance to India, echoing a pattern seen in previous high-profile visits—such as the 2000 Chittisinghpora massacre and the 2002 Kaluchak attack—both of which coincided with trips by American dignitaries and were linked to Pakistan-based militant groups.
Indian intelligence agencies are currently analysing whether recent inflammatory statements by Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir played a role in inciting the attack. Though The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has claimed responsibility, defence analysts and officials suspect the operational and logistical support may have come directly from LeT with tacit backing from the Pakistani state.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsTehmeena Rizvi, a senior fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, described the massacre as a desperate attempt by Pakistan to derail the Valley’s peace and sabotage the tourism revival in Kashmir, according to media reports.
As national outrage grows and calls for a firm response mount, all eyes are now on how India chooses to act.